The following information was provided in response to a survey prepared by the Federal Court Practice Committee of The Florida Bar. This information is not binding on any judge or court official and may not be relied upon for precedential purposes. Further information may be found in the attachments (sample orders, etc.) referenced at the end of this Guide entry or on the court's website noted below.

Other than procedures adopted by the U.S. Marshal's Service relating to access to a federal courthouse, do you have any additional procedures to be followed for the use of cell phones, laptops, or other electronics?

Is there a designated court staff person to contact relating to the use of electronic media or other audiovisual needs?

*Always verify with the Clerk of Court or the U.S. Marshal's Service as to any procedures relating to the use of cell phones or other electronic devices at the courthouse.

(in addition to Local Rules or CM/ECF procedures applicable in the District)

Do you have a preferred method for counsel to correct an electronically filed document that inadvertently contains personal information (as prohibited by Fed.R.Civ.P. 5.2)?

Do you have a preferred method governing the filing of sealed documents?

Do you prefer that (non-trial) exhibits be filed as separate docket entries (instead of filing them as attachments to the document they support)?

When filing documents with multiple attachments, do you prefer that the document be filed such that it is displayed with bookmarks within the PDF image? (This question only applies if such filing is available as a format for filing attachments in your District.)

Do you prefer that (non-trial) exhibits and depositions be filed conventionally as well as on CM/ECF?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, do you require more than one copy to be filed?

Do you prefer to have proposed orders (other than those required to be filed in the case) submitted as an attachment to documents filed in CM/ECF, or do you prefer to receive them by email or another method?

Should proposed orders be submitted in a format which can be edited, or is a PDF version acceptable?

What is your practice concerning oral arguments on dispositive motions? Oral argument may be entertained upon request by the parties in accordance with Local Rule 7.1 or upon need as determined by the Court.

Will you entertain motions in limine prior to trial? Yes

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, how far in advance should they be filed? At the same time as other submissions for the pretrial conference.

Other than those discovery schedules contained in Local Rules, do you have special discovery deadlines or procedures for certain types of cases (ERISA, FLSA, etc.)? No

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, what types of cases and what are the deadlines or procedures?

Do you routinely refer discovery matters to a Magistrate Judge? Yes

When a dispute arises during a deposition, is it appropriate to call your chambers or the Magistrate Judge's chambers (depending on whether the case has been referred for discovery) to seek an immediate ruling? Yes

Do you automatically set civil cases for trial or do you wait for counsel to propose a time period in which a case should be scheduled for trial?

Do you grant specially set trial dates (dates certain)? No

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, under what circumstances will you grant trial dates certain?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIF NO, what is your policy regarding notice for trial during a trial docket (e.g., will you give at least 48 hours' notice)? No policy.

What is your practice or procedure regarding rescheduling trials that are not reached on a trial docket, e.g., will the trial date be automatically rescheduled on your next trial docket? A new trial date will be set for the earliest possible date, with consideration given to the availability of witnesses, the parties, and counsel.

Do you conduct pretrial conferences?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, and you have a standing order regarding pretrial conferences, please attach a copy at the end of this survey.

Do you conduct Daubert hearings prior to trial? Yes

What, if any, procedural requirements do you have regarding the use of videotapes, trial graphics, depositions, and demonstrations? The parties are responsible for making arrangements to have the equipment available and functioning.

If you require trial briefs, when are they due? Two weeks before the pretrial conference.

Do you have any requirements for trial briefs? See section IV of my standard Order for Pretrial and Setting Trial.

Do you permit counsel to perform voir dire? No&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, what guidelines or restrictions must counsel follow when conducting voir dire?

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf NO, can counsel submit proposed voir dire questions? Yes&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, when should such questions be submitted? One week before the pretrial conference

What are your peremptory challenge procedures?

In multiple party cases, do you grant each party three peremptory challenges? No

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf NO, do you limit each side (i.e., plaintiff/defense) to a total of three peremptory challenges to be shared? Yes.

Do you allow back striking during jury selection? No

Do you impose any standard time limits on counsel's opening statements? No&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, what are the time limits?

Can exhibits be used in opening statements? Yes

Do you allow plaintiffs to make a rebuttal during opening statements?

Do you permit jurors to&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsptake notes? Yes&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspask questions? No&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, under what constraints and restrictions?

What, if any, procedures do you have concerning objections at trial? Counsel should anticipate objections that may arise during the course of trial and bring them to the attention of the Court so they may be handled without inconvenience to the jury.

When do you require counsel to file proposed jury instructions? Two weeks prior to pre-trial conference.

Should jury instructions also be submitted to chambers electronically?

When standard jury instructions are available, do you prefer that attorneys submit condensed versions of the standard instructions? No

Do you require proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed in bench trials? Yes&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspIf YES, when do you require the proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to be filed? One week before the pretrial conference.

&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspShould the proposed findings and conclusions also be submitted to chambers electronically?